The Mersey Daughter (Empire Street #3)(101)

Then she strode forward, swinging her case, determined not to give in to the overwhelming emotion. She’d done enough crying over the past few weeks. All about her people were milling around, some in uniform, others in clothes that had last been fashionable in 1939, but none looked demoralised. These were the people of Merseyside, and while their city might have been flattened, they were not defeated. They were fighting back and refusing to be cowed by a powerful enemy. She was part of that fight, and she had her part to play now too: sister of the groom, close friend of the bride, celebrating their wedding with all the goodwill she possessed. Squaring her shoulders once more, she set off to find what public transport had survived the destruction so she could make her way back to Bootle.

‘Pass me that plate of sandwiches, pet.’ Dolly was in her element, organising the preparations for the wedding feast. Everyone had contributed their ration coupons to make sure there would be a proper celebration for Jack and Rita. She was determined that they should have a party every bit as good as the ones before the war. It would just take more ingenuity.

Luckily Tommy, Michael and Megan had arrived from the farm laden with parcels of food from Joan and Seth. As there had been no more raids over Bootle since October, Rita had decided they could risk coming home for a short visit, as long as they brought their gas masks. She dearly wanted her children with her when she said her vows to Jack. Tommy had threatened to run away and come along anyway if they’d not been allowed back. He was beside himself with happiness now that he’d be as good as properly related to Michael and Megan. While he’d taken full advantage of being the youngest by far of the Callaghan siblings, he’d grown into the role of big brother to the Kennedy children. Rita thought it was good for him – he was more responsible when he was looking after them or showing them what was what, and heaven knew he had been in need of calming down. No adult had ever managed to do it, but this new position of big brother was bringing out a whole new side of him.

Now she was being urged to sit down by Dolly. ‘You don’t have to make your own party food,’ she said. ‘You take the weight off your feet and stay out of the way. Save your energy for this afternoon. We’ve got it all under control, haven’t we?’ She turned to Violet and Ruby, who nodded without stopping what they were doing. Violet was cutting slices of bread and then buttering them with real butter, while Ruby was opening tins. After the dreadful events of Charlie’s return and the building collapsing, Rita had had to face going through Winnie’s things. To her surprise, there were boxes and boxes under the old woman’s bed, filled to the brim with luxury foodstuffs. It seemed she had never lost the habit of squirrelling tins away, and now they would all reap the benefit. Winnie would be turning in her grave to think her precious salmon was to be used for Rita’s second wedding, but Rita thought it was only justice. There would also be a generous amount of sherry for anyone who wanted it – Winnie had hidden the bottles behind her wardrobe. No wonder she’d been able to drink from first thing in the morning.

‘When are you going to start getting ready?’ Violet wanted to know. ‘You aren’t getting married in your old cardigan with patches on the elbow, are you?’

Rita shook her head. ‘No, although Jack said he’d marry me whatever I wore, he wouldn’t care.’ She knew he’d meant it as well. She was lucky beyond her wildest dreams to have such a man. ‘Nancy took me shopping – she knows all the best places in the city centre now. She found me a lovely frock and it wasn’t even too expensive. I’m going to borrow her green coat so I’ll look smarter than I have done for years. She’s coming over in a moment to paint my nails, she’s got a bottle of polish put away that goes really well with the pattern of the frock.’

‘I’m amazed she has the time,’ said Dolly. ‘She’s been busier than ever with the WVS now that the Americans are in the war good and proper.’ Just a couple of weeks ago the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, taking everyone by surprise, and this had prompted the United States to declare war on Japan and throw its weight behind the Allied cause. Nobody was in any doubt that this would mean many more American servicemen and -women arriving in Britain, and that many of them would pass through Liverpool. Nancy would be right in the midst of it.

‘She couldn’t not come to the wedding, and she’s the best person to help me look glamorous.’ Rita stood and posed like a model. ‘I want to look right in all the photos, don’t I? And to do Jack proud, of course.’

‘I do hope Sarah will be back in time,’ Dolly said, wiping her hands on a tea towel. ‘She promised she would be here by midday. You know what she’s like, she always stays on if they’re short-staffed.’

‘She’ll be here,’ Rita said confidently. She wondered why she wasn’t more anxious, as there was still so much to do and the wedding was booked for three o’clock. Yet she felt completely calm. It was the exact opposite of when she’d married Charlie in such haste. Now she had no doubts at all. She adored Jack and couldn’t wait to be his wife, and she knew he loved her more than anything. Her children loved him too, and they would finally have the most wonderful man as their father. After everything that had happened, she didn’t mind if her sisters arrived late, or wearing the wrong thing. Such small details would not mar her joy on her wedding day. Nothing would.